...When mentioning Phu Soi Dao, what comes to mind?
Pink cosmos flowers, thick fog, pine forests, or waterfalls...
Many people choose to travel during the most beautiful season, which is the rainy season, to see the flowers and take pictures in the beautiful mist.
But... did you know that Phu Soi Dao is the fourth highest peak in Thailand (1. Inthanon 2. Doi Pha Hom Pok 3. Chiang Dao 4. Phu Soi Dao)?
The Phu Soi Dao National Park allows hiking to the 2,102-meter peak for only about 3 months (November-January).
.
.
.
This trip was from December 26-28, 2016.

[Spoiler] Click to reveal hidden text

Phusoidao National Park: A Natural Paradise in Northern Thailand

Phusoidao National Park encompasses a vast expanse of protected wilderness within the Nam Pat Forest Reserve, spanning across several districts in Uttaradit and Phitsanulok provinces. Its convenient accessibility, thanks to paved roads leading to the park, makes it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts.

Covering an area of approximately 212,633 rai (340.21 square kilometers), Phusoidao was officially declared a national park in 2008 through a Royal Decree. This decree designated specific areas within the Nam Pat and Phusoidao forests, encompassing portions of Muang Chet Ton, Ban Khok, Na Khun, Ban Khok, Huai Mun, and Nam Pat districts in Uttaradit, and Bo Phak district in Phitsanulok, as protected parkland. The official announcement was published in the Royal Gazette, Volume 125, Section 71 Ka, on May 28, 2008.

For further information, please refer to the official website of Thailand's National Parks: http://park.dnp.go.th/visitor/nationparkshow.php?PTA_CODE=9114

.

This trip was born from scrolling, scrolling, scrolling, and then scrolling again from August to December. Haha, not that long, right? The rhododendrons are gone, the fog isn't coming, so what am I going up there to see? ... Oh, well, since I missed the rhododendrons, this trip will be about conquering the 2,102 peak. To conquer the 2,102 peak, it will take 3 days and 2 nights.

Day 1: Embark on the Adventure

Our journey begins with registration at the base of Phu Soi Dao National Park. Here, we will arrange porters, reserve tents, and ensure all necessary arrangements are made for our ascent.

The journey to the Phusoidao Waterfall Visitor Center 2 begins with a ride on an Isuzu pickup truck. At the center, officials will request to see your Phusoidao ascent permit. It is crucial to keep this permit safe, as it will be used to record any additional rentals you make on the mountain.

The initial phase of the journey is relatively flat, following the waterfalls. You will pass by Phusoidao Waterfall, Skakadeuan Waterfall, and Karnnika Waterfall before ascending the first slope, known as the "Farewell Slope." This initial slope is quite steep, significantly testing your leg strength.

To reach the summit, one must first conquer the slopes of Sending Relatives, Subduing Immortals, Dense Forest, and Crouching Tiger. Finally, they must face the ultimate challenge: the "Slope of Death."

Eating rice on the way

Keep walking. Keep walking.

Death Hill at 2 pm is scorching hot.

After conquering Death Hill, you will reach the "Larn Son" conqueror's signpost at Phu Soi Dao. Continue walking for another 200 meters from the signpost to reach the tent camping area. In total, it took me approximately 4 hours to hike up to Larn Son. The most challenging slopes were the "ส่งญาติ" (Sending Relatives) and "มรณะ" (Death) hills.

Upon arrival, please contact the staff and present your street vendor registration form to collect your items here.

Image of the lawn, a camping spot

The Pine Forest Field on Phu Soi Dao offers a vast expanse with trails for hiking, photography, and enjoying sunrises and sunsets. Conquer the single mountain with two pine forests, spanning Thailand and Laos. The nighttime temperature hovers around a comfortable 9-12 degrees Celsius.

The round-trip distance is 5km. From the pine forest to the top of Phu Yod Dao, the first part of the journey is flat. If I remember correctly, there are a total of 12 stations. Along the way, there are maple trees, and the path is quite slippery and dusty. The steepest sections are likely to be stations 2 or 3, and then station 12.

We have arrived at Phu Soi Dao at 11:30 AM. The total is 2,102 baht.

The journey to the top of Phu Soi Dao takes approximately one hour. The trail to the meadow is not particularly strenuous, as the terrain does not allow for rapid movement.

Significant arm and leg strength are required to pull and push oneself up.

We arrived at the pine forest around 2 pm. After taking a shower and resting, we continued to take pictures of the stars. The stars at Phu Soi Dao are truly beautiful.

Day 3: Descend from the pine forest (09:30) and arrive at Phu Soi Dao Waterfall (12:00).

Details
:: Travel ::

There are two routes to reach the destination:
1. From Chat Trakan District, Phitsanulok Province, take a taxi to Chat Trakan and then hire a car to Phu Soi Dao. The fare is approximately 800-1,000 baht per trip. Alternatively, a taxi can be hired directly from Phitsanulok city for 1,800 baht per trip.
2. From Nam Pat District, Uttaradit Province, hire a car from Nam Pat District for approximately 1,300 baht per trip.

:: The cost to conquer the peak is 2,102 baht per person.
It takes 3 days and 2 nights to conquer the peak. It is recommended to contact the organizer before your trip. If you want to climb, you can register with the staff on the top.
The route is not difficult, but not easy either. I encourage you to try it.
Phone number: [Spoil] Click to reveal hidden text 095 6299528 ::

Finished. ^__^

Page: https://goo.gl/ZzzGkG